SMALL TOWN, BIG MAGIC Witchlore, Book 1

Natalie Duke's ringing confidence matches that of protagonist Emerson Wilde, Chamber of Commerce president and bookstore owner in St. Cyprian, Missouri--and unknowing witch. When Emerson is attacked by creatures with dark magic, she unconsciously uses magic to defend herself and, in doing so, regains the witch memories she lost 10 years earlier. Duke uses different voices for Emerson's coven friends: quiet and limpid for researcher Georgie, matter-of-fact for Ellowyn, pugnacious for Zander, and emphatic for Jacob, a healer who is Emerson's love interest. Duke delivers Emerson's militant feminist comments and self-actualizing pep talks with deliberate emphasis. Duke even makes Emerson's addiction to planners and organizational strategies endearing. Duke's low, warm tones keep listeners engaged with Emerson's journey and the major magical crisis she has to diffuse. C.A. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2022]